MENLO PARK (KCBS)— A Facebook-funded police substation opens Saturday in a Menlo Park shopping center. The new facility is within walking distance of the tech giant’s headquarters located at Willow Road and Hamilton Avenue.

“It’s open to the community and it’s meant to be a place where they feel welcome to come in and talk to the police officers,” said Clay Kerman, assistant to the Menlo Park city manager.

Kerman showed off the high-tech space with brushed-concrete floors, exposed rafters and an open floor plan.

“Besides that, this place will have public Wi-Fi and a public computer terminal,” he said.

Menlo Park Mayor Ray Mueller wanted political support for a substation and was stunned by the financial support from Facebook.

“They’ve been incredible partners and they’re the type of partner who you don’t have to ask,” Mueller said.

The donation of construction money and the payment of monthly rent for three years is not a PR move according to Mueller. He said Facebook does a lot of community outreach that doesn’t get a lot of publicity, like how COO Sheryl Sandberg personally mentors kids in the local Boys & Girls Club.

He believes the city will pick up the tab for the substation after Facebook.

“I expect that this will be an ongoing commitment that our residents will expect and be proud of,” Mueller said.

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